The 75 Greatest Wedding Websites June 9, 2012

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THE 75 GREATEST
WEDDING WEB SITES
Brides,com rules, but it's just the start,
We visited the good, the bad, and the
utterly ridiculous, and found these truly
helpful dot coms. ByKimSchwormAcosta
LOCATIONS
weekendwinery.com
Coastal
vineyards may be the latest in destination weddings, but before you pack
up the dress and head to Napa, check
out this state-by-state winery guide.
towd.com Whether you're planning to marry in your hometown or
exchange vows abroad, this worldwide directory of tourism offices
points you to the best resources.
nps.gov If the great outdoors is your
idea of the perfect wedding backdrop, make this national parks site
your first virtual stop.
thebarnjournal.org You'll find
finished barns for rent here (click on
Resources). None listed in your
Site, Welffer Estate
Vineyard and Stables,
Sagaponack,
New York;
wolffer.com.
state? Post your plea
on the Barn Boardsite regulars will offer
some suggestions.
museumlink.coml
states.htm Muse-
Cake, Laurie Lucov; laurie
lucovweddingcakes.com
ums lend a cultured air
and built-in decor to your reception.
This guide links to museum Web
sites nationwide, many of which list
facility rental specifics and rates.
CAKES
wilton.com
Get the lowdown on
how to choose, transport, cut, and
freeze your cake. Making it yourself?
You'll also find recipes here, plus
helpful advice from pastry masters.
elegantcheesecakes.com The
tiered creations here are as gorgeous
as traditional wedding cakes, and can
be shipped almost anywhere.
thechocolateguy.com What
could be more perfect on your dream
day than never-ending chocolate?
You can make dessert a fun, handson adventure for your guests by renting a fondue fountain from this site.
CEREMONY
www.poets.org
What better
place than your wedding to bring
poetry to the masses? Search for
more than 1,200 poems by key word
or poet to hit on the perfect verse.
weddingministers.com This
directory includes more than 3,000
ministers, priests, rabbis, and justices of the peace in the U.S. Select
vows and readings, and learn how
to choose the best officiant for your
ceremony. (Continued on page 356)
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BEAUTY AND
ACCESSORIES
bluefly.com Purchase trendy accessories-from shoes to earringsfor up to 75 percent off retail at this
discount designer site.
veilshop.com See up close how
different veil lengths and styles look
from the front, back, and side with
this site's Veil Tutorial. A handy chart
reveals how to avoid wrinkles.
myglassslipper.com
No need
to sift through fuchsia stilettos or
striped Skechers here-this shoe
site is all about the bride, so white
and ivory rule. Search by designer
in the couture section, or by heelheight in the Under $100 area for
pumps, sandals, and sling backs.
makeup411.com Recreate Kate
Hudson's dreamy look in Almost
Famous (l.ancome Silk Finish pow-
usmarriagelaws.com
Time
for the license? Find out your state's
rules and requirements, and the
address of the closest clerk's office.
documentsanddesigns.com
Looking for the right prose for your
nuptials? Go to Vows and Poetry for
a vast selection of readings, from top
10 wedding verses to a whopping 71
contemporary vow choices.
ulc.org Want to really personalize
the vows? A friend or relative can become legally ordained for free at this
site run by the Universal Life Church,
which promotes freedom of religion.
rcrconline.org For a small fee,
the Rabbinic Center for Research
and Counseling will provide a list of
over 330 rabbis nationwide who will
officiate at interfaith weddings.
FLOWERS
freshroses.com
Have a nothingbut-roses affair with fresh blooms
shipped to you straight from the
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grower. (The minimum order is $390.)
This site also offers advice on arranging flowers, and in a non-rose moment, gives the best seasonal
blooms for your wedding month.
wiggyflowers.com This San
Francisco florist's sleek site groups
bouquet, centerpiece, and decorating ideas by theme, from ballroom
fantasy to silver palette. Not marrying
in the Bay Area? No problem. The
site will refer you to like-minded
florists in other parts of the country.
aboutflowers.com Take a quiz to
determine your flower personality,
learn what to look for when choosing
a florist, and study a glossary of
common flowers, all at this site run
by the Society of American Florists.
sunshineflowers.com You
may know a yellow rose signifies
friendship, but are you aware that the
red tulip means undying love? Or that
yellow lilies mean flirtation, while
white ones mean innocence? Bone
up on the language of flowers here.
der) or Brittany Murphy's spoiled-girl
pout in Uptown Girls (Delux lip gloss
in Asher and Jasper) with this site's
inside tips on Hollywood makeup.
ebay.com/wedding
Rather go
naked than pay retail? Don't overlook
this popular auction site for weddingday stash,
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from designer shoes to sparkling
tiaras. Have enough "something borroweds"? Bid for new items, too.
GIRL PARTIES
vegas. com
Saying "so long" to your
single self in Sin City with your best
pals? Here, you can book a limo and
buy tickets to a show, and find detailed descriptions of nightclubs, bars,
and, yes, strip clubs.
citysearch.com Home in on
ideal rehearsal dinner or bachelorette party locales in dozens
of major cities. The guide's Best Of
section has reviews of popular
restaurants, bars, entertainment
venues, and hot spots.
party411.com You'll find a primer
on showers and bachelorette parties,
and ideas for themes, invitations,
games, and party favors.
spafinder.com Whether you want
a nearby day spa or a luxe resort
facility, this is the site to lead you and
your pals to all things seaweed.
FOOD AND DRINK
icacater.org
This caterer search
engine connects you with members
of the esteemed International Caterers Association, a trade group that
attracts top-notch, inventive chefs.
rentalhq.com Find local partyrental stores, plus lots of tips from the
Glasses, Crate & Barrel;
crateandbarrel.com.
Compote, Ercole;
ercolehome.com.
pros, such as how much space to
allow between tables.
wineanswers.com With info on
the number of bottles to buy and
correct serving temperatures, plus insider tips (hOWto chill a Chardonnay
in 30 minutes), this site will quickly
turn wine neophytes into sommeliers.
cocktail.com Your quest for a
signature sip just got a lot easier,
thanks to this site's endless assortment of mixed-drink recipes categorized by season and spirits.
chefmike.com Wondering how much ice to buy, or
whether to include children
in your head count? Chef
Michael Flowers, author of
"Cater Your Own Wedding," offers answers to
common party queries.
STATIONERY
rexcraft.com This mailorder invitation site has the
routine down. Categories
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like Color, Picture Perfect, and
Layers and Ribbons help you navigate the wide selection you'll find
here. The prices and shipping time
(two to three days) are hard to beat.
crane.com Leading invitationengraver Crane's offers its entire
159-page "Wedding Etiquette Blue
Book" online for free (click on Social
Stationery at the bottom of the home
page). It covers all your addressing,
assembling, and wording questions.
paper-source. com Create original wedding stationery using this
site's luxe paper and cards of every
imaginable size and color. Kits and
online step-by-step instructions
guide you in making contemporary
invitations and program booklets.
invitesite.com Achieve designerstyle stationery with this site's kits
featuring creations with pressed
flowers and handmade paper. Save
by printing them yourself at home.
weddingmaps.com Yes, even
directions can get a creative flair on
your big
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MUSIC
soi.org
t·
I •
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Invitation, Stephannie Barba;
stephanniebarbacom
day. This design team creates stylish,
easy-to-read maps highlighting landmarks, wedding locations, hotelseven your future home.
verseit.com Got writer's block?
Find hundreds of creative wording
suggestions for invitations, rehearsal
dinners, informal weddings-you
name it. Verses are grouped in categories such as Casual, Fairytale,
Nature, Shakespeare, and Western.
kinohidesigns.com Tying the
knot seaside? You'll love the modern
stationery sets at this Hawaii-based
dot-com. Designs include floating
palm trees, shells, and pineapples.
GIFTS
thebigday.com
Ensure that honeymoon fun won't be hampered by
your (or your husband's) inner
cheapskate. Here, guests can give
money for essentials like airfare and
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hotel as well as for romantic perks
such as a couples massage.
felicite.com Love the beaded
lamp at Pier 1, the birch nightstand
from Ikea, and the yoga mat from
Gaiam? Register for all three at this
site, where you can sign up for any
item from just about any store.
givefun.com The honeymoon will
keep going on and on with this personal piggy bank for fun. At this site,
guests donate funds you can use
toward movies, restaurants-even an
anniversary weekend at a cozy inn.
justgive.org If you'd like a different kind of wedding gift, this national
nonprofit organization offers it.
Guests can donate money either by
buying Just Give gift certificates (you
later decide which charities will
receive the funds) or by making a
donation in your name to a group on
your "registry." (You'll receive an
e-card about the donation.)
This Symphony Orchestra
Institute site links to more than 140
symphonic groups in the countryexcellent sources for professional musicians who moonlight at weddings.
wedalert.com/songs Looking
for an alternative to Pachelbel's
Canon? Listen to snippets of 1,200
"wedding songs," divided into categories (ceremony, first dance, ethnic).
bustamove.com Via easy-tofollow instructions and pictures, you
and your man can learn to dance for
much less than one-on-one lessons.
adja.org Find a qualified dj in your
area at this site run by the American
Disc Jockey Association. The Hiring
Tips section lists must-ask questions
(about equipment, insurance, contracts) and average rates.
booklivemusic.com Hear music
samples, and view prices and
playlists of hundreds of bands and
classical musicians nationwide.
FAVORS
beau-coup.com This dot-com
sticks to one irresistible specialty: favors. Feeling overwhelmed by all the
elegant options? Click on New Products and Bestsellers for some of our
top choices, (Continued on page 366)
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including a personalized minature
book of love quotes, "A Perfect Blend"
coffee packaged with a heart-shaped
scoop, and golf ball keepsake boxes.
orientaltrading.com This partysupply site sells decorations and
trinkets for welcome baskets or
rehearsal dinner favors at low prices.
Having a wedding hoedown, luau, or
retro/'60s bash? Fun, themed
accessories are their specialty.
islandweddingshop.com
Surprise your guests with unusual
seaside favors, like miniature beach
chairs, glass votive holders with
sandcastle accents, or personalized
sunset candy-bar wrappers. Silly for
seashells? Yep, they've got those,
too, and they're filled with birdseed.
myownlabels.com From
Grandma's oatmeal cookies to a CD
of your favorite tunes, homemade favors acquire a professional touch
with customized labels from this
site-with 24 styles, 15 shapes, and
12 colors to choose from.
customhearts.com These personalized conversation candy
hearts, in tangy or traditional flavors,
are just like the originals-minus
the
chalky aftertaste. Customize with up
to five (short) phrases. Luv Rules!
idofoundation.org This site's
Favors for Charity program lets
you make a donation to your favorite
Caneel Bay resort,
St. John, U.S.
Virgin Islands;
caneel bay.com.
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nonprofit organization in honor of
your guests. A personalized card
at each place setting tells loved
ones about your contribution.
weddingfavorites.com This
site offers a new, exclusive collection of miniature envelopes, takeout
containers, and box totes for packaging favors, plus unusual baubles
like chair place-card holders/favors
and scented floral magnets.
HONEYMOON
honeymoonlocation.com Click
on Honeymoon Packing Tips for a
comprehensive guide to what to
stash in your luggage, from camera
batteries to sarongs. Hernernber to
pack a surprise for your new hubby!
visitmexico.com Local experts
highlight the best sights, hotels, and
restaurants, from Cancun to La Paz.
gocaribbean.com This site
details the unique characteristics of
36 Caribbean destinations, such
as Aruba's 42 major dive sites and
Martinique's Parisian-chic feel.
cruise.com If you've got fond
memories of The Love Boat, this
site's for you. It has an exhaustive
list of voyages from nearly 100
cruise lines to help you map out your
ideal itinerary (destination, sailing
date) at the right price.
gorp.com If sunning on the sand
makes you yawn, check out this site
for the best ideas in domestic adventure travel. Browse the many
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for your ideal spot, from national
forests to secluded campsites to
parks with eye-popping views.
sexhealth.org For any bride
who'd like to mix it up on the honeymoon, this site offers solid sex advice
on popular positions and techniques,
plus the silliest toys. Bonus: no embarrassing pop-ups!
yahoo. farechase.com Be certain you're getting the best travel
deal with Yahoo's specialized search
engine. It combs more than 50
Internet travel sites for the cheapest
flights, hotels, and rental cars.
PHOTONIDEO
weva.com
Click on Find a
Videographer for professional referrals in your area. Check out the tips
on how to get unobtrusive coverage,
plus information on the latest trends
in video styles.
ofoto.com Create a wedding album that friends and family can view
for free at this site. Uploading, editing, and ordering prints of photos is
a cinch even for technophobes.
ppa.com Make sure you're hiring a
seasoned photographer to capture
your wedding on film. This site allows
you to search the Professional
Photographers of America's member
database by city or zip code. You'll
also find tips on what to ask when
interviewing prospective lensmen.
GROOM 101
www.gia.edu
If he hasn't bought
the ring yet, take the Gemological
Institute of America's free tutorialit's the best primer around on the
four C's of diamond value. (Note:
Reputable jewelers use this group's
diamond grading system.)
tuxedos4u.com Preview the
latest tuxedo fashions and colors by
three top designers at this site.
WWW.BRIDES.COM
Impressed? Buy one online or find a
rental store near you.
gingiss.com This national formalwear chain's site explains appropriate
tux style based on formality and the
time of the wedding. It even offers
advice on how to be the model
groom (send flowers or a card to her
house when she's getting ready).
formalwear.org Find a comprehensive chart that spells out exactly
what to wear when (daytime vs.
evening), plus a speedy search
engine that guides you to a topnotch tux shop that's close to home.
tiffany.com With its easy-to-follow
shopping site, this esteemed jeweler
makes it simple for a groom to find
the perfect wedding gift for his bride.
Need direction? You can't go wrong
with an engraved heart tag bracelet.
WEDDING PARTY
free-wedding-speeches.com
A proactive bride is a happy bride
when she slips the best man and
maid of honor a couple of useful tips
on wedding speeches. The 10
Commandments of Toasting section
offers practical pointers (stand when
you're speaking; keep it short!).
redenvelope.com This purveyor
of affordable fine gifts offers a wide
selection of attendant presents, such
as pink leather 1.0. bracelets and canvas golfer's wallets.
wishingfish.com Forgo the standard earrings or grooming kit in
favor of vintage fabric envelopes or
electric juicers shaped like citrus fruit
from this eclectic, fun boutique.
bridesmaidaid.com Two perpetual bridesmaids answer every
question newbie attendants might
have (e.g., the right underwear to
wear when dress shopping).
thebestman.com If there's one
person who knows less about weddings than the groom, it's the best
man. This humorous but helpful site
explains things like how to escort
people down the aisle and what to
do if the getaway car won't start .•
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